Cursed Heir System: Revenge Against the Gods

A steady rhythm of rain drumming on the wooden roof of the tavern. The smell of fresh bread, roasted meat, and beef stew filled the air, giving the space a homey atmosphere. There's only five customers other than Alan and Moriko in the tavern.

Alan was seated at a corner table opposite Moriko. With her legs tucked under her, Moriko sat with her tail swaying slowly and her ears twitching at every sound of the utensils. Her golden eyes were fixed on the kitchen door with excitement, a tiny bit of drool at her mouth's corner.

Alan rested his head on his hand while watching her, "Kitty, you're drooling."

Moriko's cheeks turned pink as she blinked and wiped her chin quickly. "Is it my fault? It smells like heaven here! No watery slop from the mines or moldy bread. Alan, we're going to eat actual food."

He simply stared at her without responding. Her happy glow was rare after the mines that stirred warmth and unease in him. He was unsure whether to sigh or smile.

The old tavern worker brought their plates which were basically steaming. "Here you go, dears. Roasted carrots, honeyed bread, and beef stew. And, as asked, double meat for the girl?"

Moriko leaned forward, practically bouncing. She reached for the plate and chirped, "Grandma, bless you!"

Alan furrowed his brow as her hands hovered over the food, "Use the fork kitty."

Moriko rolled her eyes and grumbled. "Really, ugh? Alright." With a pout, she snatched up the fork and stabbed the meat before digging in.

Alan slowly picked up his plate, brushing it with his fingers. He looked at the steam rising from the tender meat, and thick broth. It was nearly excessive. It's been five years since he had eaten something like this, his left hand trembled a little as he gripped the fork.

Suddenly, Moriko placed a portion of her food onto his plate. Alan blinked, her gesture pulling him back.

"Thanks for the food." She said grinning.

With a quiet laugh, he broke off a piece of bread with his left hand and dipped it into the stew.

"Kitty, slow down. Nobody is stealing it."

With her tail twitching with pleasure, she muttered, "No one's stopping me either."

Alan signaled the keeper once more, ordering more, extra meat, fried potatoes, and a sweet berry pie they might not even be enough for the happy hungry cat girl. Charmed by Moriko's enthusiasm, the keeper put down the new plates while giggling.

The pie made Moriko's eyes brighten. "I might cry right now, Alan."

His lips formed a smirk as he teased, "Eat it all without wasting anything."

Moriko was devouring the potatoes halfway through the second round.

*BAM!*

The tavern door burst open with a loud bang, and everyone's eyes turned to the entrance as the room fell silent.

A young woman entered, her elegantly layered dress dripping water onto the floor. Silver leaf-shaped clasps glinted faintly as her loose, wet, silvery-blue hair fell over her shoulders. Her crimson eyes scanned the room with urgency and a hint of fear.

It was Anna Nocella.

"Excuse me!" she gasped. "There is an urgent situation! We need first aid for my guards, quickly!"

The older man behind the counter, the tavern keeper, stood up quickly. "Please come in, ma'am. Bring them in."

Anna turned and gestured outside. Wet and bloody, a group of guards entered. One held the shoulder of an elderly woman, Madam Marlene, who had a pale face and blood leaking through the sleeve of her cloak. After a hard battle, the other guards' armor was dented and they were covered in cuts and bruises.

The tavern came alive. Bandages and towels were snatched, tables pushed aside. People hurried to assist, and chairs scraped. In the midst of the confusion, a guard let out a sharp cry while gripping a broken rib.

In their corner, Alan and Moriko stayed still, still eating as they watched like they were at a show.

Moriko leaned closer, whispering through a mouthful of food, "You think she's some noble?"

Alan took a slow bite of stew while looking at Anna. "Probably," he said quietly.

"Yikes. Fancy," Moriko muttered, her tail flicking as she chewed.

Alan's blue gaze fixed on Anna as she knelt by Marlene, giving calm, clear orders despite the fear in her crimson eyes. "She's not just fancy," he said under his breath, too low for Moriko to hear. "She's in trouble too."

Anna bandaged a soldier's arm with her steadily despite the blood soaking her elegant dress, a short blonde-haired knight approached her.

His shiny armor and confident walk marked him as different from the other guards, he's more knight than soldier. "Madam Anna, you should leave with me immediately," he said with urgent tone

"They might still be following us."

With her hands glowing faintly with mana, Anna applied pressure to the soldier's wound, causing the bleeding to slow as she did so without looking up. Despite her worn-out posture, she spoke with authority, "I won't leave my people like this, Sir Yulder! And don't worry, I already sent a signal to Jani, she'll be here at any moment."

Yulder, the knight, leaned in closer as he spoke. "It will be risky to wait for her. If you are hurt, Duchess Sharra will not forgive us."

Alan's fork paused mid-air, his blue eyes narrowing as he took a slow bite.

Carefully chewing, he thought, Duchess Sharra Nocella?

I thought she was unmarried and childless. Who is this girl, then?

Anna didn't fit, and that made her dangerous… or useful.

Moriko, unaware of his thoughts, stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth, her tail flicking lazily. She glanced at the commotion, then back at her plate.

The uneasy silence of the tavern was broken by a loud bang. The front doors slammed open and crashed against the walls like a thunderclap.

Ten figures occupied the doorway as the rain poured in, a chill wind blowing through.

Mercenaries, their mismatched armor scarred from battles, smiling and drenched. Some, their blades shining wet in the candlelight, wore pieces of noble guard uniforms like prizes.

With a slow walk, the leader, a wiry man with a crooked scar across his bald head stepped forward and licked the rain off his blade.

"Well, well," he said in a snark tone.

"What luck. A small town was the place you stopped. No outside observers. Not a witness. No help."

The tavern was filled with gasps. The few customers scurried to the corners, their faces white with terror, and chairs scraped.

Clutching a rag like a shield, the tavern keeper ducked behind the counter.

Anna's red eyes blazed as she instantly stood up. With his sword drawn and his stance low and prepared, Knight Yulder moved in front of her.

He yelled, "Get behind me."

A shaky circle of the twelve bloodied and battered guards surrounded Anna and Madam Marlene, who held her injured shoulder with a grim but defiant expression. Although the guards were worn out and some were resting on their swords, their eyes were burning with loyalty and they were prepared to die if necessary.

Alan let out a sigh and gently clinked his fork down. He whispered, "So much for a quiet night."

Moriko's ears drooped slightly, still chewing, looked at the mercenaries and then at the kitchen door. Her voice irritated as she said, "I hope they don't mess the kitchen now."

"I still need to order."

A slight smirk tugged at Alan's lips as he raised an eyebrow. "priorities?"

She munched another piece and shrugged. "What? I'm starving."

Sensing the guards' vulnerability, the mercenaries dispersed, their boots thudding on the wooden floor, their smiles growing. The leader's eyes gleamed with greed as he aimed his blade at Anna. "Hand over the girl, and maybe we let the rest of you crawl away."

Yulder's hands tightened around his sword. "You must first pass through me."

Alan's thoughts were racing as his fingers drummed on the table.

He reminded himself that this was not his fight. He could slip out the back with Moriko, get away from this mess. However, Anna's relationship with Duchess Sharra bothered him. She might be a piece in his revenge game or cause him unnecessary trouble.

"We staying or running, gray-hair?" Moriko asked, swallowing her meal.

Alan's gaze briefly shifted to her before returning to the confrontation. The guards were preparing for an unwinnable battle as the mercenaries closed in. With a slow exhale, he pointed his fork at the carrot slice.

"Let's watch the show. This might get messy."